Sacred Alloys: A Historical Study of Ritual Continuity and Religious Symbolism in the Dokra Craft of Bengal

Abstract

As a prime illustration of the interplay among material culture, ceremonial continuity, and religious symbolism, this article analyses Bengali Dokra craft. One of the earliest types of metalworking that have survived from the Indian subcontinent is Dokra, which is characterized by its traditional lost-wax casting technique. The study delves into the historical evolution of this art while preserving its fundamental ritual roles and symbolic connotations. It emphasizes how artisan groups play an important part in maintaining cultural identity through common behaviours and passing down inherited knowledge systems. Dokra artifacts serve as votive gifts, symbolic representations of deities, and items of cultural expression in local religious contexts; this paper investigates their ceremonial use in these situations. Additionally, it delves into the ways in which tribal customs, Hindu beliefs, and local folklore are reflected in the motifs and shapes used in Dokra art. Simultaneously, the research takes into account how the craft has been affected by commercialization, globalization, and modernity, highlighting both the chances for economic growth and the threats to maintaining its spiritual value. The article contends that Dokra craft is best seen as an active and changing practice rather than a fixed artifact of the past by drawing on wider discussions on heritage, tradition, and cultural sustainability. The text highlights the importance of maintaining a balance between innovation and the preservation of ritual and symbolic elements in order for this tradition to survive. The research concludes that the Dokra skill is a living legacy that shows how traditional knowledge is strong and how art, religion, and communal life in Bengal are interconnected.